PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight kickboxing rules bout between Li Xiaolong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ebrahim Azhari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Azhari has chosen Jedi Mind Tricks - Blood in Blood out as his entrance music. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Xiaolong
vs
Azhari

173 cm
39
158 lbs
43 - 17 - 1

171 cm
33
159 lbs
21 - 16 - 1

World class boxer
Insanely flexible

World class MT
Granite chin

Mohito Fightwear

MMA Hype Apparel
DC Unrivaled

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 43 - 17 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Li Xiaolong!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ebrahim Azhari!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Radbod Blank and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Azhari scores with a nice head shot.
Azhari on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Xiaolong drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Azhari blocks the body kick.
Azhari connects with a solid leg kick.
We've been informed that Azhari has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Xiaolong looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Azhari unleashes a big counter combination but Xiaolong bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Xiaolong misses with a right hand
and Azhari counters with a slapping leg kick.
Azhari throws a head kick that half lands.
Xiaolong scores with a body shot.
Xiaolong tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Azhari was well out of range. Poor timing from Xiaolong.
A big right from Azhari misses.
The fighters circle momentarily. Xiaolong darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Azhari throws a low kick but it's checked well by Xiaolong.
Xiaolong appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Azhari throws a hook but Xiaolong blocks it.

Xiaolong clinches with his opponent.
Azhari throws a punch but it's blocked by Xiaolong.
Xiaolong has Azhari pressed against the ropes.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Xiaolong.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azhari lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Azhari lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Xiaolong can't find room to land a body shot as Azhari controls the action.
Xiaolong throws an elbow that misses.
Xiaolong misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Azhari.
Azhari lands a right hand.
Xiaolong misses with some punches.

Xiaolong escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Xiaolong has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Gym Beam in the buildup to the fight.
Xiaolong tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Azhari paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Azhari misses with a low kick.
Xiaolong misses with a body kick.
Azhari walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Xiaolong checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
And Xiaolong counters with a quick kick to the body but Azhari blocks it.
Xiaolong takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Xiaolong takes a swing at Azhari's ribcage but misses.
Azhari slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Xiaolong gets cracked there but stands up to it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A bone on bone clash there as Xiaolong blocks the leg kick.
Azhari tests Xiaolong's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Azhari misses with a straight left.
Xiaolong tries to land a body kick
and Azhari counters with a series of strikes. Xiaolong will be more careful next time no doubt.
Xiaolong stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Azhari blocks a leg kick.
Xiaolong misses with a kick to the body.
Azhari chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Xiaolong moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Azhari connects with a solid leg kick.
Azhari moves out of range of the body kick from Xiaolong.
Azhari throws a low kick, looking for Xiaolong's leg but Xiaolong calmly moves out of range.
Xiaolong throws a nice looking combination but Azhari bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Xiaolong smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Azhari connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Xiaolong's hands.
Xiaolong misses with a straight right.
Xiaolong throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Azhari on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Azhari pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xiaolong goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Azhari moves out of range of the body kick from Xiaolong.
Xiaolong tries to move into range but Azhari moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Xiaolong's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Azhari connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Xiaolong scrambles back to his feet.
Azhari throws a shot from downtown. Xiaolong moves away and avoids it.
Xiaolong on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Azhari misses the jab.
Xiaolong is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Xiaolong ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Azhari does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Azhari lands a nice leg kick that just misses Xiaolong's sensitive parts.
Azhari moves away from the strike by Xiaolong.
Azhari connects with a jab.
Azhari throws a leg kick but Xiaolong sees it coming and checks it nicely.
A nice inside leg kick there by Xiaolong. That's going to slow Azhari down.
Xiaolong slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Azhari connects with a right hand. Xiaolong shakes it off.
Xiaolong throws a front kick aimed at Azhari's knee but Azhari avoids it well.
Azhari fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xiaolong ducks under a wild hook from Azhari.
It appears Xiaolong was looking to counter with a kick there.
A thudding body kick lands there by Xiaolong!
Nice body kick there by Xiaolong.
Danga de danga de dang - Xiaolong scores with a four punch combination!
Azhari scores with a decent looking hook.
Xiaolong slips a jab from Azhari.
Azhari jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Xiaolong buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Azhari pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Xiaolong jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
An inside leg kick lands from Azhari.
A punch combination from Azhari misses.
Xiaolong slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Xiaolong looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Xiaolong lands an overhand right.
Azhari lands a jab to the nose.
Azhari ducks under a wild hook from Xiaolong.
A little jabbing left from Azhari on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Azhari throws a jab but it's blocked by Xiaolong.
Xiaolong lands a nice leg kick that just misses Azhari's sensitive parts.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ebrahim Azhari dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Xiaolong has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Xiaolong there as he acknowledges the shot.
Xiaolong looks for the body kick but Azhari saw that one coming.
A head kick misses from Xiaolong.
Azhari has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Azhari moves away from the strike by Xiaolong.
Xiaolong uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Azhari.
Azhari fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Xiaolong has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Xiaolong lands a glancing blow to the side of Azhari's head.
Xiaolong scores with a sloppy right hand. Azhari should have avoided that one.
Xiaolong lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Azhari pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Xiaolong moves forwards but Azhari connects with a nice, crisp jab.

It looks like Li Xiaolong has been cut.
A jab lands there for Azhari.
Azhari wants to land a leg kick but Xiaolong is out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Xiaolong dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Azhari. That did some damage!
Azhari misses with an uppercut.
Azhari bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Xiaolong is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Azhari throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Xiaolong slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xiaolong fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Azhari manages to avoid it.
Azhari misses with a body kick.
Li Xiaolong seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Azhari lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Nice cross by Xiaolong.
Azhari takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A leg kick checked by Azhari.
Azhari takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Azhari moves out of range of the body kick from Xiaolong.
Azhari bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Azhari drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
The fighters circling - Xiaolong throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Xiaolong throws a push kick but Azhari slaps the foot to one side.
Xiaolong takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Ebrahim Azhari seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Azhari misses with a body kick.
Azhari checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Xiaolong throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Azhari fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Xiaolong.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Azhari misses with a series of wild punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azhari avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A left lands for Azhari.
Xiaolong takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Xiaolong checks the leg kick nicely there.
Xiaolong on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Xiaolong uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Azhari.
Azhari lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Xiaolong lands a nice looking body kick.
Azhari misses the jab.
Xiaolong loads up on a big right hand but Azhari slips the punch.
Azhari swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Xiaolong on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Xiaolong staying out of range there.
Azhari on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Azhari jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Xiaolong lands the left hand.
A nice leg kick lands there from Azhari.
Xiaolong tries to clinch but Azhari moves away
and Azhari makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice body kick there by Xiaolong.
Xiaolong drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Xiaolong bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Azhari's head backwards.
Xiaolong takes a swing at Azhari's ribcage but misses.
Azhari was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Xiaolong is looking to land body kicks.
Xiaolong looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Xiaolong throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Xiaolong lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Nice shot by Azhari.
Azhari has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Xiaolong.
Azhari displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Xiaolong throws out the jab.
A good leg kick by Azhari.
Xiaolong throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Xiaolong takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Azhari throws a jab but it's blocked by Xiaolong.
Xiaolong staying out of range there.
Xiaolong tried to counter with a leg kick but Azhari avoided it.
Azhari takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Azhari plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Xiaolong has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Xiaolong there as he acknowledges the shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azhari throws a poor cross that misses
and Xiaolong counters with a good low kick that Azhari was not able to check.
Xiaolong connects with a crisp jab.
Azhari loads up on a big right hand but Xiaolong slips the punch.
Xiaolong misses with a kick to the body.
Xiaolong scores with a hook.
Nice straight punches there by Azhari. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Azhari.
Xiaolong scores with a spinning back kick!
Azhari moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Xiaolong bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Azhari misses with a kick to the body.
Azhari tried to score with a low kick but Xiaolong checks it.
Azhari misses with a leg kick.
Azhari lands with a cross.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Xiaolong displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Azhari throws out the jab.
Xiaolong takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Azhari displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Xiaolong throws out the jab.
Azhari misses with a hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ebrahim Azhari will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Li Xiaolong's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Azhari checks the leg kick nicely there.
Azhari avoids a kick to the body.
Xiaolong dodges the punch combination from Azhari.
Azhari throws a big shot that misses.
Xiaolong throws a leg kick which misses Azhari's front leg but catches the back leg as Azhari tries to avoid it.
Xiaolong works Azhari's body with a nice hook.
Xiaolong moves out of range of the strikes.
A thudding body kick lands there by Xiaolong!
A solid body kick from Xiaolong.
Xiaolong slips a straight right by Azhari.
Azhari takes a shot right to the bread basket.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Azhari misses with a hook. Xiaolong ducked under it nicely.
Azhari sizes up Xiaolong with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Xiaolong throws a front kick that sends Azhari stumbling back into the ropes.
Xiaolong throws a big shot that misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Xiaolong throws a push kick but Azhari slaps the foot to one side.
Azhari moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azhari attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Xiaolong throws a body kick that misses.
Azhari moves out of range of the body kick from Xiaolong.
Azhari uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Xiaolong has time to react.
Azhari misses with a looping right.
Xiaolong takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Xiaolong on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Azhari throws a good cross that connects.
Azhari misses with a straight right.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Xiaolong.
Azhari throws a right and a left that Xiaolong avoids nicely.
Azhari missing with a left hand there. Xiaolong was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Azhari fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Xiaolong.
Xiaolong moves into range and connects with a jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Azhari throws a chopping leg kick but Xiaolong manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Xiaolong throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

It looks like Ebrahim Azhari has been cut.
A jab lands there for Azhari.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xiaolong is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Xiaolong throws a push kick but Azhari slaps the foot to one side.
Azhari throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Xiaolong sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Xiaolong pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Azhari ducks right into an uppercut from Xiaolong.
Azhari scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Xiaolong buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Xiaolong swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Azhari misses with a leg kick.
Xiaolong avoids a kick to the body.
Azhari lands a head shot.
A nice inside leg kick there by Xiaolong. That's going to slow Azhari down.
Xiaolong feints and then cracks Azhari's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Azhari down.
Xiaolong is looking to chop away at Azhari's legs.
Azhari swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azhari throws a chopping leg kick but Xiaolong manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Xiaolong swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Azhari throws a lazy head kick
and Xiaolong counters with a good low kick that Azhari was not able to check.
Xiaolong connects with a body shot.
Azhari attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Jab by Azhari.
Azhari throws a chopping leg kick but Xiaolong manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Azhari throws a hook to the side of Xiaolong's head but Xiaolong sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Xiaolong looks for the body kick but Azhari saw that one coming.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Xiaolong checks a leg kick.
Xiaolong lands a head kick. Azhari smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Xiaolong jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Xiaolong just misses with a punch to the body.
Xiaolong misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Azhari counters with a stiff right hand.
Xiaolong misses with a looping right.
Xiaolong scores with a jab to the head.
Azhari is looking to score with low kicks.
Xiaolong connects with a crisp jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Xiaolong throws a half hearted mid kick.
Azhari misses with a looping right.
Xiaolong is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Azhari.
Xiaolong throws a body kick that misses.
Azhari has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Xiaolong finds it's way round the side to connect with Azhari's head.
Xiaolong misses with a body kick.
Azhari checks a leg kick nicely.
Xiaolong wants to slow Azhari down by chopping away at his legs.
Xiaolong is looking to score with low kicks.
Xiaolong throws a combination that misses
and Azhari counters with a straight right hand.
Azhari moves out of range of the body kick.
Xiaolong keeps Azhari at a distance using the push kick.
Donk. Xiaolong catches Azhari right on the button with a cross.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Azhari looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Azhari throws a sloppy head kick
and Xiaolong makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
A slow jab from Azhari misses its intended target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Li Xiaolong did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Xiaolong sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Azhari slips under a jab from Xiaolong.
Azhari takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Xiaolong defending well as Azhari loads up on a big left hand.
It looked like Xiaolong wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Xiaolong is looking to land body kicks.
Azhari keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

Xiaolong pushes Azhari up against the ropes in a clinch.
Xiaolong misses with some punches.
Azhari misses with a short punch on the inside.
Xiaolong scores a nice knee to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Azhari breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Azhari takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Xiaolong misses with a head kick.
Azhari throws a counter combo.
Jab by Xiaolong.
Azhari connects with a leg kick. Xiaolong looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xiaolong walks forward, straight into a front kick from Azhari.
A jab lands there for Azhari.
Xiaolong scores with a nice right hand.
Azhari paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Azhari throws a solid leg kick but Xiaolong takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Azhari.
An attempted straight right counter from Xiaolong misses the target.
Xiaolong throws out a loose jab but Azhari uses good head movement to avoid it.
Azhari blocks the body kick.
Azhari throws the left hand but Xiaolong avoids the punch easily.
Azhari staying out of range there.
Azhari chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Xiaolong can pounce on him.
Azhari lands with a nice body kick.
Xiaolong misses with an attempted mid kick.
Xiaolong throws the left hand but Azhari avoids the punch easily.
Xiaolong throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Xiaolong forces Azhari back against the ropes and clinches.
Xiaolong throws an elbow but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Xiaolong lands a body shot in the clinch.
Xiaolong looking to throw knees to the head but Azhari is blocking nicely.
Xiaolong misses with a body punch.
Xiaolong misses with a knee to the head.
Azhari pushes Xiaolong back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Xiaolong lands with a left to the head.
Xiaolong struggles to land a body shot inside as Azhari controls his hands.
Xiaolong tries to land knees in the clinch but Azhari avoids the damage to the body.

Xiaolong manages to break the clinch.
An inside leg kick lands from Xiaolong.
Azhari fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Xiaolong.
Xiaolong stuns Azhari with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
The fighters circling - Xiaolong throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azhari throws a big shot that misses.
Azhari is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Xiaolong.
Xiaolong moves out of range of the body kick from Azhari.
Good leg kick by Azhari there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Xiaolong misses with an attempted mid kick.
Xiaolong fails to land with a series of punches.
Xiaolong dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Azhari. That did some damage!
Xiaolong uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Azhari.
Xiaolong is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Xiaolong throws the kick towards the body but Azhari avoids it.
Azhari throws a series of punches but Xiaolong avoids them all with ease.
And Xiaolong counters with a quick kick to the body but Azhari blocks it.
Xiaolong on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Azhari thuds his right hand into Xiaolong's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Azhari misses with the combination.
Azhari lands a nice looking kick to the body. Xiaolong takes a step back to recover.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azhari lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Xiaolong throws the kick towards the body but Azhari avoids it.
Xiaolong moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromAzhari.
Azhari takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Xiaolong with a nice cross.
Azhari takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Azhari feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Xiaolongs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Azhari throws a lazy uppercut
and Xiaolong counters with a series of strikes. Azhari will be more careful next time no doubt.
Azhari throws a nice outside leg kick.
A bone on bone clash there as Azhari blocks the leg kick.
Xiaolong misses with a looping right.
Xiaolong swings for the body but Azhari moves out of range.
Azhari only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Azhari throws a low kick but Xiaolong moves out of range easily.
Xiaolong is looking for a counter combo.
Azhari connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Xiaolong momentarily.
Xiaolong's corner calls for a 1-2. Xiaolong obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Li Xiaolong had his way with Ebrahim Azhari in that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Azhari fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Xiaolong checks it well.
Xiaolong misses with a body shot.
Azhari throws a good cross that connects.
Xiaolong blocks a leg kick.
Xiaolong looks for the body kick but Azhari saw that one coming.
Azhari takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Xiaolong scores with a decent looking hook.
The fighters circling - Azhari throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Azhari checks a leg kick.
Xiaolong misses with a body kick.
Azhari checks the leg kick nicely there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Xiaolong ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Azhari moves away.
Xiaolong misses with an attempted mid kick.
Xiaolong lands a nice looking body kick.
Good shot there by Azhari.
Xiaolong misses with an uppercut.
Azhari only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Xiaolong will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xiaolong on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Azhari thows a leg kick but Xiaolong checks it
and Xiaolong connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Xiaolong misses with a body kick.
Azhari looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Xiaolong wants to land a leg kick but Azhari is out of range.
Xiaolong with a nice cross.
Xiaolong uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Azhari.
Azhari misses with a low kick.
A quick step to the side and Xiaolong tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Xiaolong misses with a body kick.
Azhari thuds his right hand into Xiaolong's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Xiaolong throws an off balance right hand
and Azhari counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Xiaolong, as that shot connected.
Azhari swings widly with a right hand
and Xiaolong counters with a straight right hand.
Azhari throws a head kick but Xiaolong moves out of range.
Azhari throws a head kick that misses.
Azhari stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Xiaolong.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Azhari moves out of range of the body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice cross by Xiaolong.
Xiaolong throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Azhari defending well as Xiaolong loads up on a big left hand.
Azhari feints a counter leg kick.
Azhari pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Xiaolong slips a jab from Azhari.
Azhari connects with a jab.
Xiaolong fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Azhari pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Xiaolong is looking to counter with a body kick.
Azhari throws a shot from downtown. Xiaolong moves away and avoids it.
Xiaolong throws a sloppy body shot
letting Azhari counter with a right hand.
Xiaolong goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Azhari takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
No joy there for Azhari, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Azhari darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Xiaolong is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Azhari.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xiaolong misses with an attempted mid kick.
Xiaolong scores with a kick to the body.
A low kick from Xiaolong is predictable there
and Azhari counters with a slapping leg kick.
Azhari misses with an uppercut.
Azhari tries to score with a low kick but Xiaolong moves his leg out of the way.
Nice jab there from Azhari.
Nice body kick there by Xiaolong.
Some bone on bone action there as Xiaolong checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Xiaolong bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Azhari misses with a wild combination.
Azhari motions for Xiaolong to come forward. Azhari throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Azhari misses with a series of wild punches.
Azhari throws a low kick but Xiaolong avoids it.
Xiaolong misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azhari misses the jab.
Azhari throws an overhand right that lands on Xiaolong's shoulder, as Xiaolong tries to avoid the shot.
Xiaolong getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Xiaolong throws a wild body kick that Azhari sees coming a mile off.
Azhari gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Azhari lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Xiaolong looks to land a body kick but Azhari moved away.
Xiaolong walks into a left hand.
Xiaolong checks a leg kick.
Azhari needs to keep his hands up - Xiaolong had a free shot at his head there.
Xiaolong lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Xiaolong misses with the body kick
and Azhari counters with a nice leg kick.
Azhari throws a jab but it's blocked by Xiaolong.
Azhari misses with a straight right.
Xiaolong is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Xiaolong throws a body shot but no joy.
A nice leg kick lands there from Xiaolong.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Li Xiaolong.
I think Xiaolong has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 48:47
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 48:47
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Li Xiaolong!
Li Xiaolong is the new lightweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, Li Xiaolong thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
The defeated Ebrahim Azhari had this to say: 'Well you loose some and win some, but lately i kinda loose more then win. I have to see how to continue with my career.'.